'Emmerdale' actor Andy Devine is going to miss his alter-ego Shadrach Dingle's sense of humour, and the ''fantastic'' cast and crew on the show

The actor - who has played rude and lazy Shadrach Dingle in the ITV soap since he was introduced in 1998 - is sad to leave the rural show and will pine for his character's "profound" and witty sense of humour.

He said: "I love the old guy! I'll miss the character very much indeed - after all, it's been 10 years and he's had some great one-liners, some of which are profound!"

While the 67-year-old actor - whose last scenes will air later this month - will miss his alter-ego, he will also fondly remember the colleagues he has praised for always going "that extra mile".

He added to Inside Soap magazine: "I'll miss everyone at 'Emmerdale' too - especially the crew, who are fantastic. There were times when I was shattered after finishing at lunchtime, but they are there first thing in the morning until last thing at night, and they always go that extra mile."